Authorities in Singapore have provisionally approved a 60-second Covid-19 breathalyzer test, according to the startup that developed the product.
The breath analysis, conducted through Breathonix, a spin-off company of the National University of Singapore, will be conducted alongside the mandatory Covid antigen test.
The formula uses disposable tips and is designed to prevent cross-contamination.
After blowing into the device, the generation evaluates the chemical compounds in the breath to determine whether the user is inflamed or not.
Breathonix said on Monday that it is now collaborating with the Ministry of Health to conduct a trial of the generation deployment in one of the city-state’s border areas with Malaysia.
The Health Sciences Authority also issued the approval, which the company says is the first formula of its kind to receive provisional approval in Singapore.
The breath test achieved an accuracy of more than 90% in a Singapore-based pilot clinical trial, the company announced last year, and could be widely deployed.
The tests would sell for between £5 and £20 (£2. 66 to £10. 63) each, depending on the quantity purchased, a company representative said.
Anyone who tests positive will be required to take a Covid-19 PCR swab test, the company said.
It comes as Singapore reported 24 transmitted cases on Monday and reimposed a harsh crackdown on social gatherings for a month.
The surge in cases comes months after the country recorded a daily coronavirus count of nearly 0 digits or single digits.
Breathonix said it is in talks with several local and foreign organizations to use the system, which generated interest in advertising.
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